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Topic: Will You take His Son? (Read 10231 times)

I got this sent to my email by a brother. I felt I should share it with you. Please, take a moment to read it, it will make your day! The ending will surprise you.

Take my SonA wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the great works of art..

When the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son.About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands..

He said, 'Sir, you don't know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly... He often talked about you, and your love for art.' The young man held out this package. 'I know this isn't much. I'm not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this.'

The father Opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears.. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture.. 'Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It's a gift.'

The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected.The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection.

On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his gavel. 'We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?'There was silence....Then a voice in the back of the room shouted, 'We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one.'

But the auctioneer persisted. 'Will somebody bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?'Another voice angrily. 'We didn't come to see this painting. We came to see the Van Gogh's, the Rembrandts. Get on with the Real bids!'

But still the auctioneer continued. 'The son! The son! Who'll take the son?'Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son. 'I'll give $10 for the painting...' Being a poor man, it was all he could afford.'We have $10, who will bid $20?'

'Give it to him for $10. Let's see the masters.'

The crowd was becoming angry. They didn't want the picture of the son.They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections.The auctioneer pounded the gavel.. 'Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!'

A man sitting on the second row shouted, 'Now let's get on with the collection!'

The auctioneer laid down his gavel. 'I'm sorry, the auction is over.'

'What about the paintings?'

'I am sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will... I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings.The man who took the son gets everything!'

God gave His son 2,000 years ago to die on the cross. Much like the auctioneer, His message today is: 'The son, the son, who'll take the son?'

Because, you see, whoever takes the Son gets everything.

FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, WHO SO EVER BELIEVETH, SHALL HAVE ETERNAL LIFE...THAT'S LOVE

This story simply show how inadequate man's judgement of WORTH can be. While all the people were thinking that the portrait of the SON is worthless and not to be paid any attention, it is actually the portrait that has the greatest value among the entire collection.This is good food for thought. Thanks for sharing. ;-)

Now just imagine what others missed. The longtime gardener am sure, did not buy the portrait of the son because of any fore-knowledge of the stipulations in the will, I guess it was out of genuine love and respect for the son and his master, he was still loyal to them even after their death.

And he ended up being the new owner and bountifully rewarded.

The object lessons that this simple story has taught me is this:1. Do not be a sycophant, love people for who they are not what they can do for you2. If you are loyal to a person, a cause, make sure you finish it through3. Do the right things, even when those who know it to appreciate you are not around to do so4. Have faith; follow the leading of the Spirit 5. It is better to do one good deed than to sit idle and do nothing even if the good deed does not bring any reward in the immediate end. THOUGH IT TARRIES, IT MUST COME TO BE.

I quite agree with you that the gardner had no knowledge of the stipulation in the will. If he had, he would have borrowed money before coming to the auction. He was simply loyal to those he loved even though they were no longer around to appreciate or reward his loyalty. I love the way you enumerated the lessons one can pick from the story. I vote for number 1.Love people for who they are not what they can do for you That is what I call Agape